By Jessica Defago CBD and THC New consumers may be unaware that CBD and THC gummies have been around for quite some time, first extracted in 1942 by Harvard-trained chemist Roger Adams. Then, later in 1963, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, known as the godfather of cannabis research, first described the chemical structure of CBD. In the 1980s, Dr. Mechoulam and other researchers found that CBD had anti-epileptic properties, after a lot of preclinical work. CBD and many other natural hemp based Cannabinoids, will not show up on a drug test, make you sleepy, or create any “high” effect. They are the non-psychoactive components of the cannabis plant and won’t have any of the same side effects as THC. According to a study published by The Permanente Journal in 2019, a single dose of 600 milligrams of CBD has been shown to decrease anxiety in people about to give public speeches. In addition, people who took 25 milligrams daily of CBD for a month reduced their anxiety and had better sleep quality. The effect lasted for several months. ♦ Interested in high-quality edibles and merchandise? Check out the FGE shop and FGE Etsy Store ♦ CBD applied to the skin could help lower pain and inflammation due to arthritis. It also inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain, two of the most challenging types of chronic pain to treat. CBD could help people with neurodegenerative disorders, which are diseases that cause the brain and nerves to deteriorate over time. Flower-Only CBD Spectrums There are three main kinds of CBD products. Full Spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. Full Spectrum CBD includes all the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant and all of its components extracted from the cannabis flower. Features include terpenes, waxes, healthy fatty acids, and chlorophyll. Full Spectrum is a term referring to a naturally-extracted spectrum. Broad Spectrum is similar to Full Spectrum but does not include THC within it. CBD isolate is just CBD. It is done by isolating cannabidiol molecules or separating cannabis compounds. Not sure what to choose? Full Spectrum has been shown to have a low amount of THC, whereas CBD isolates as zero containments. Depending on which is preferred, the choice is completely up to the purchaser!
In case you couldn’t already tell, we here at Feel Good Edibles are BIG fans of CBD–makes sense, right? However, CBD isn’t the only chemical compound found in cannabis. THC, another organic compound, is contained in the plant as well. It has the active chemical in marijuana, producing elevating, intoxicating effects. THC products can take many forms: flowers, vapes, gummies, tinctures, and oils (among others). But can you combine these cousin chemicals? What are the interactions between THC and CBD? And what about CBD for the THC user? How can adding CBD to your THC consumption change or enhance your experience? We take a look at these questions and more – keep reading below. The Entourage Effect Can you enjoy both CBD and THC at the same time? Is it safe? The simple answer is: ‘yes’. When taken together, cannabis-derived products work better than using those products by themselves. This is called The Entourage Effect, and fortunately has nothing to do with the 8-season HBO show of the same name (just kidding – that show has a few good episodes). Using CBD in combination with THC products can reduce certain unwanted side effects, such as fatigue, nervousness, and a heightened appetite. While more research needs to be done, it seems that CBD and THC may make a good pair together, provided you enjoy both. However, THC isn’t for everyone; in fact, many people are choosing to drop weed altogether. What does CBD use to look like in that context? CBD Can Help You Quit Using Marijuana You may want to give yourself a THC tolerance break, or maybe you’re done with weed altogether. Either way, CBD can be the key to quitting or cutting back. According to a peer-reviewed study in Integrative Medicine: A Physician’s Journal, CBD reduces the addictive nature of marijuana and can help people reduce their THC intake. The study focuses specifically on CBD oil, but it may be likely that our fruity, potent CBD gummies produce an identical or similar effect. Unfortunately, as of 2022, there exists no reliable therapy to help people with problematic cannabis abuse conditions. It’s increasingly looking like CBD will be filling that role, allowing people to taper their THC, ultimately stopping if they want to, without too many negative side effects or withdrawals. CBD & THC – Pros and Cons Maybe you’re debating whether to use CBD or THC. What are the pros and cons of each? Why might you choose one over the other? ♦ Interested in high-quality CBD edibles and merchandise? Check out the FGE shop and FGE Etsy Store ♦ THC – Pros Strong body and mind elevation; feelings of euphoria May reduce anxiety, promote restful sleep, increase appetite, and reduce the unwanted effects of certain medical conditions THC – Cons THC has limited national legality THC can be prohibitively expensive, either legally or illegally THC is an intoxicant – meaning that it impairs you – you shouldn’t drive, operate machinery or engage in potentially risky or unsafe behaviors while taking THC Illegally acquired marijuana can be impure, of substandard quality, and sometimes risky to purchase and carry CBD – Pros While still fighting for legality in some parts of the country, for the most part, CBD is more legally accessible than THC While creating feelings of wellness, healthy sleep patterns, pain-relief, and reduced anxiety, CBD WILL NOT impair you. Driving, performing work duties, or running to the store for a quick errand – you can do all of these with no issues on CBD CBD products (particularly ours here at Feel Good Edibles) are made in a state-of-the-art factory with standardized doses, high-quality ingredients, and quality control Depending on the state and applicable taxes, CBD products are generally less expensive than THC products CBD – Cons CBD is less well-known and used than THC (though this is changing by the day) Depending on your area, CBD may be illegal or difficult to purchase (again, this is changing by the day) Some Final Thoughts We don’t want to come off as THC-negative; we at Feel Good Edibles fully support THC use where legal, particularly for those people who use it for mental or physical health relief. Whether you choose to combine your THC with CBD, use CBD to taper THC us,e or are trying to choose between the two, remember: it’s up to you! Do your research (though hopefully, this guide helped a bit), and decide for yourself. Just remember, we have gummies in a range of potencies, flavors, and shapes, so find one that fits your needs and start feeling good!
